But what she'll remember most is how the Blue Knights forged ahead when times got tough.

Lefkowitz, who was a starter on Wyoming Seminary's 2010 and 2011 state championship teams, played a major role in helping the Blue Knights return to the state final.

The Iowa-bound senior forward led her team in scoring and posted one of the best individual performances of the season when she scored a goal at the end of regulation in the state quarterfinals and then gave the Blue Knights a thrilling 4-3 OT victory against Upper Perkiomen.

Lefkowitz, The Citizens' Voice Player of the Year, recently spoke with staff writer Jill Snowdon to recap the season and her career.

JILL SNOWDON: Your team went through a slump at the beginning of October. What helped you come out of it and regroup?

MALLORY LEFKOWITZ: Once we hit the district tournament I think we came together. By the district final we knew we had a place in the state tournament, win or lose, but just being in the state tournament wasn't good enough. We wanted to make a run and shake off some of those bad games during the year. We stepped up our game plans and just played better.

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JS: Be honest. Did you think that this team was capable of rallying to the point of making a run for a state title?

ML: In the beginning, no. We really didn't lose a lot of people from last year but for whatever reason we were having some ups and downs in our games. When we won in the quarterfinals, after that point, I knew it was something that was meant to be and that we had a really good shot at winning states again.

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JS: You had one of the best games of your career in the quarterfinal win against Upper Perkiomen, scoring two clutch goals. Talk about your determination to score in such crucial situations with the season on the line.

ML: In the first half, I looked at the clock and there were 40 seconds left and I knew we needed to take advantage on our corner. I was battling one girl the whole game and at one point (in overtime) I had a clear view of the goal and in my mind I was thinking that I needed to end it right now and the game just needed to be over.

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JS: What kind of emotions did you go through the day of the state final? From it being your last game, to being down a goal and having to come back, to bringing home the trophy, I'm guessing that was a lot of up-and-down feelings.

ML: We're such a superstitious team and everything we did that day was right in order. In the locker room I looked at my one friend and we both said, 'We're going to win today.' I think we had a good vibe and even when we were down a goal, it wasn't anything we weren't used to so we were able to stay calm and come back pretty quick with a goal. And winning, well that was just amazing. We were the underdogs. To see our team rise above that is just the best feeling.

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JS: Besides winning a state title this year, what would you say is your favorite memory playing at Seminary?

ML: I would say winning back-to-back state titles. It was really cool to win as a freshman, but to experience it again as a sophomore was just a lot of fun. Definitely a great memory.

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JS: Which WVC team gave you the most trouble this season and how did you handle the pressure?

ML: I think Holy Redeemer's defense because they marked me during that game and I had a really frustrating time. That game sticks out to me because I actually felt uninvolved, that's how well they had me marked. But my teammates really took over where I couldn't.

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JS: What's the best sports-related advice you ever received and from whom?

ML: My parents reminded me a lot this year to not get down because the season isn't over until the end. When we had a few losses, they told me to keep my head up and things would get better. And they were right. Things got better and we ended up winning a state title, so I think that goes to show that you should never give up.

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JS: What's on your calendar now that the season is over? Do you take any time off from field hockey?

ML: No breaks for me. I just got back from the National Field Hockey Festival in Florida and then had a tryout for an indoor team. There may be times when I get tired, but if I stop I'll miss it and go right back to playing.

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JS: Coach Karen Klassner finished this season with 599 career wins. What does it mean to you to be a part of something like that?

ML: Wow, I can't even describe how much it means to me. I'm just so happy for her because she's just an amazing person. I loved how we heard from so many alumni this year through texts and emails and calls, so I'm definitely going to stay in contact next year. We're a small team from a small school and we're like a family. We all care about each other and that carries on long after graduation."

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